The Talking Machine Forum — For All Antique Phonographs & Recordings

This is a record I picked up last Summer at the Union Phonograph Show. From 1913, it is much more beautiful to look at than to listen to, but I did record it and made a YouTube video of it. To see the detail in the pictures you should consider opening it in YouTube full screen. Also, if you have the volume up enough between the 4 and 5 second mark I think the singer utters something. I have no idea what.

[youtubehd]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HQhlEEwsBkw[/youtubehd]
I think this is an amazing record and there are some others like it from the same period. This online article shows several different of these records and includes information on this type or record as well. http://www.musicweb-international.com/F ... page18.htm

Zur Erinnerung an das fünfundzwanzig jährige regierungs-Jubiläum Seiner Majestät Des Kaisers Und Königs Wilhelm II 1888-1913
(A remembrance to commemorate the twenty-fifth anniversary of His Majesty The Emperor And King William II 1888-1913)

In the description on YouTube I provided a few translations of the content on the label. If any of you German speakers can give me better translations I would appreciate it! PM or email me if you have suggestions.

Here are the pictures used in the video of the record and the box.

I read the article. Very interesting. Also, I wonder how many of these records were destroyed after August 1914 when WWI started?
Harvey Kravitz

Definitely a cool record... do you want to sell it?

Curt A wrote:Definitely a cool record... do you want to sell it?

No, I plan to keep it. I would love to find some of the others!

melvind wrote:

Curt A wrote:Definitely a cool record... do you want to sell it?

No, I plan to keep it. I would love to find some of the others!

I thought that would be the case... I'd like to find one myself, since I think the box and record are unique... Thanks for posting pics.

Thank you for taking the time to share this with us. Great piece of history!

That's a very nice transfer. I always liked these special records and they are certainly only for collectors who are willing to go far beyond the $5 boxes.

Btw. she isn't uttering anything but clearing her throat before starting with the first note, a quite interesting glitch. Thanks for sharing!

The song sounds rather like a re-working of Mendelssohn's Auf Flügel des Gesanges ('On Wings of Song'), with some strange harmonic transitions stuck in to make it sound more modern.

I wonder if any of Kaiser Wilhelm's own compositions were ever recorded?

Oliver Mundy.

Menophanes wrote:I wonder if any of Kaiser Wilhelm's own compositions were ever recorded?

I have an 1899 Berliner of "Sang an Aegir", which was written by Willi II. This info is also prominently etched into the record. To my knowledge, it was only recorded one more time afterwards. It is a rather dreadful piece, patched together with no musical direction - yet another reason for its rarity.